New Orleans residents and politically dynamic duo James Carville and Mary Matalin
to speak at opening session

WHAT: American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition—OMED 2009

WHERE: New Orleans Morial Convention Center (NOMCC), Halls A-B

WHEN: Sunday, November 1-Thursday, November 5

DETAILS:
Thousands of osteopathic physicians(D.O.s), osteopathic medical students and exhibitors from around the country will convene in New Orleans November 1-5, for the 114^th Annual Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition—OMED 2009. This year’s medical conference themed “The Road to Health Begins with Prevention,” will offer osteopathic physicians and osteopathic medical students the opportunity to learn the latest developments in health care and medical research.

In addition to this year’s workshops and seminars, the National Osteopathic Medical Association (NOMA), along with the Student Osteopathic Medical Association and the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents, will hold a health fair on October 31 at the Harry Tompson Center, 1803 Gravier Street. Through this year’s health fair, New Orleans residents will be offered free screenings for conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and wellness physicals will be conducted for children.

Founded in 1897, the AOA’s mission is to advance the philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine by promoting excellence in education, research, and the delivery of cost-effective health care within a distinct, unified profession. Osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest growing health care professions in the United States. D.O.s are licensed to prescribe medication and practice in all specialty areas, including surgery, are trained to consider the health of the whole person and use their hands to help diagnose and treat their patients.

The AOA is a member association representing more than 67,000 D.O.s. The AOA serves as the primary certifying body for D.O.s, and is the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical colleges and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. The AOA’s last meeting in New Orleans was in 2003, and this year’s Medical Conference and Exposition – OMED 2009 – is set to generate millions of dollars in economic impact.

MAJOR EVENTS/ NEWSWORTHY SPEAKERS (All events held at Convention Center unless otherwise noted):

• Sat., Oct. 31: NOMA hosts New Orleans Health Fair, Harry Tompson Center, 1803 Gravier Street, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Sun., Nov. 1: Women’s Health Seminar: Obesity Across the Lifespan of a Woman, Meeting Room 220-222, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Mon., Nov. 2: OMED 2009 Opening Session with keynote speakers James Carville and Mary Matalin, Halls A-C, 8-10 a.m.
• Mon., Nov. 2: Basic Nutrition for Athletes, Room 218, 12:10-12:55 p.m.
• Mon., Nov. 2: What We Learned from the Katrina Airlift Evacuation, Room 208, 3-4 p.m.
• Tues., Nov. 3: Keeping Children Safe from Household Poisons and OTC Medications, Room 218, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
• Tues., Nov. 3: Playing it Safe: Prevention of Trampoline and Throwing Injuries, Room 218, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Wed., Nov. 4: Bullying and Adolescents: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions, Room 224, 11:50 a.m.-12:40 p.m.
• Wed. Nov. 4: The Adolescent Brain and Addiction, Room 224, 1:10-2:00 p.m.

Exhibition: NOMCC, Halls A-B
Hours:
Sun., Nov. 1: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 2: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2:30-5 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 3: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

PRESS ROOM: NOMCC, Room 202
Hours:
Sun., Nov. 1- Tues., Nov. 3: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 4: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Media Note
The AOA’s 114th Annual Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition—OMED 2009 is open to the media. To register, contact Nicole Grady at 312-593-6897 or ngrady@osteopathic.org. Media can also register on site in Room 202 at the NOMCC. Media will need a badge to enter the exhibit floor and to attend presentations. The AOA media relations staff can provide information about conference activities and arrange interviews with D.O.s and AOA leaders.

Dates and times of events are subject to change. Daily alerts will be sent from the press room throughout the meeting and post-event news releases will be posted to the OMED 2009 Media Kit, available online in the AOA’s Media Center at www.osteopathic.org/mediacenter.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
AOA: Nicole Grady, 312-593-6897, ngrady@osteopathic.org; Mike Campea, 312-730-0370, mcampea@osteopathic.org
New Orleans CVB: Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com;
Mary Beth Romig, 504-606-8430, mbromig@neworleanscvb.com;
Tara Letort, 504-566-5048, tletort@neworleanscvb.com
New Orleans Morial Convention Center: Rosalie Mortillaro, 504-582-3027, rmortillaro@mccno.com

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